Rest, a word like music to some ears
Are you in Christian ministry and are you feeling exhausted?
You are not alone. Some people in ministry suffer from exhaustion and fatigue. You may have heard the story of the famous Scottish preacher, Robert M’Cheyne, who died partly out of exhaustion. It is reported that before he died, he wrote, “God gave me a message to deliver and a horse to ride. I have killed the horse and now I cannot deliver the message.”
Being in ministry is a demanding job. I have been in ministry for years so I understand the exhaustion that Christian workers face. Failure to consistently prioritize rest can lead to burnout. We feel exhausted and fatigued, with a reduced sense of reward. We become embroiled in relationship conflicts. At home, we snap at our spouse and as for intimacy, it is as good as dead. We become impatient and frustrated with our children. We become sulky or sullen at work if we are corrected, feel traumatized, and wonder if we are going crazy. However, we still have to keep going, to prepare the sermon to preach or give a talk to the youths who look up to us as their mentor. Outwardly, we press on but inwardly we are wiped out. When we feel deeply distressed, it is time to step aside, take time off from the stresses that come with the ministry, and rest in God’s presence. Jesus recognized the need for his disciples to take a break. We would be wise to recognize this need, so we do not break down.
What is a Retreat?
A Retreat is a time when we disengage from our daily commitments to purposely rest and nourish our souls as we spend time in God’s presence. In Mark 6:31, the disciples of Jesus were so busy with people they did not even have time to eat. Jesus knew his disciples were weary and suggested they take time off to rest.
Benefits of Spiritual Retreats
Retreats can offer at least three therapeutic benefits to tired Christian workers.
A retreat provides an opportunity for psychological growth
We can rest at this time to enhance our well-being. We can just do nothing but rest our tired bodies, let our thoughts daydream and be at peace with ourselves. This will lead to a reduction of stress, tension, and fatigue thus improving our psychological wellbeing. Practices such as meditation and prayer, associated with spiritual retreats, form a part of therapeutic treatment in Counselling and Psychotherapy.
A retreat can be a springboard to spiritual growth
A Christian retreat is a discipline for the spiritual life, thus it can be a time dedicated to the practice of spiritual disciplines. Some people have used this time as an opportunity for a night vigil, where they denounce sleep and focus on spiritual matters such as praying, hymn-signing, meditation, and so forth throughout the night. Other activities people engage in during retreats include the keeping of a spiritual journal, sabbath keeping as instituted in the Old Testament, solitude, fasting, study, and prayer. The desert fathers would go on retreats for the purpose of physical labor. These disciplines help us in our spiritual growth, life, and work, leading to personal transformation.
A retreat can promote self-therapy or self-understanding
During this time, we can get in touch with our inner selves, which we cannot do in the daily hustle and bustle of life. It is during times of retreats and solitude that we find perspective to see the things that we are obsessed with, worried about or things that hold us in bondage. It is during these times that we confront our souls and find things that haunt us, and it is as we cling to Christ in solitude that he releases us to return to society as freed persons.
How often should I schedule a retreat?
There should be no rigidity in the schedule. You can plan for a retreat if you think you need one. It could range from some hours to a few days. Ignatian silent retreats can last up to 30 days. Do what seems most comfortable for you.
Where can I go for a retreat?
If you have no budget for a retreat, you can find a church compound or a park to do a quiet retreat. If a friend is going to be away, you can ask to use his or her house. You can find a cheap retreat center for your time of retreat. Here at CYARA Rest Haven, we offer you a serene place for your quiet moments.
What should I do during retreats?
You can just rest your tired body and do nothing. You can spend time practicing solitude, silence, study, and meditation on God’s word which is a source of nourishment for your soul.
Go ahead and take a retreat. You can also book for a space at
CYARA Rest Haven.